The Milwaukee Bucks can keep Jalen Duren on their radar, but they probably shouldn’t start penciling him into the roster just yet.
Detroit has not shown any interest in discussing a sign-and-trade for the free-agent big man, and that stance is making a Bucks pursuit look more like a long shot than a real plan. The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson reported that the Pistons have refused to engage in sign-and-trade scenarios for Duren and aren’t even entertaining the idea.
That doesn’t mean the situation is frozen forever. Duren’s deadline to accept his qualifying offer is closing in fast, and if he digs in and says he won’t commit long term, Detroit could eventually change course and look to recover assets.
But for now, the Pistons’ position has been consistent all offseason: they want to keep him. They’ve backed that up with a five-year, $200 million offer.
Detroit seems prepared for either outcome. If Duren takes the $200 million deal, the Pistons keep their center. If he takes the qualifying offer and plays next season on roughly $10 million, that would be a massive gamble - one of the biggest in NBA history - but it would also give him a path to unrestricted free agency next summer, especially if the relationship with Detroit has already gone sideways.
For Milwaukee, the cleanest path is the one that doesn’t exist yet. The Bucks’ best-case scenario would be Duren taking the qualifying offer, staying healthy, and reaching unrestricted free agency next summer. That would let Milwaukee chase him without worrying about a restricted free agency situation.
That’s a lot of moving parts, though.
Right now, the Bucks, Pistons, and the rest of the league are waiting on Duren’s decision. He has until 11:59 p.m.
ET Thursday night to decide, though Detroit could extend the deadline if it wanted to. That seems unlikely, since the Pistons would prefer to settle this before preseason games get underway.
And if Detroit suddenly decides it wants out of the mess, there’s at least one framework that could get their attention: a package built around Myles Turner, AJ Green, and draft capital. Even then, the key word is willing. The Pistons have to decide they want to move Duren before any of that matters.
For now, the Bucks are left waiting like everyone else.
In Other News...
Bucks Starting Lineup Battle Is Raising One Big Preseason Concern
At Bucks media day, Taylor Jenkins made it clear the first group on the floor is not going to be handed out as a reward for past status. Milwaukee has been working through multiple starting lineups in preseason practices, with Jenkins stressing that spots will be earned this season as he looks for the right combination around a roster that still has some moving parts. One look that surfaced, featuring Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner, offered a glimpse at the kind of balance Milwaukee is exploring, even if nothing is set yet.
For a team trying to sort out roles before the games count, the bigger issue is less about who starts than how quickly the pieces fit together. The Bucks have plenty of talent to work with, but preseason is now doubling as a proving ground, and the ongoing competition for those five opening spots is the clearest sign that Jenkins wants clarity before settling on anything permanent. In the background, co-owner Wes Edens also addressed the business side of the franchise, saying he has not considered selling his stake, leaving the basketball questions to dominate the conversation for now. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Face One Young-Core Debate In Any Jalen Duren Pursuit
If the Bucks go looking for another big man, the conversation could quickly turn from wish list to roster math. A hypothetical deal for Jalen Duren from Detroit would address a clear need inside, but it would also force Milwaukee to decide which young piece it is most willing to part with while trying to stay competitive around its core.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the name to protect in that discussion, given the way his potential has him pegged as a possible breakout player down the line. If Milwaukee had to move a younger asset to make the framework work, AJ Green makes more sense as the kind of trade chip that could help balance the sides, especially in a deal built around Myles Turner. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Fans Should Watch What Sean Sweeney Is Building In Orlando
The coaching change in Orlando is already giving the Bucks another East team to keep an eye on. Sean Sweeney, now the Magics head coach, is making no secret of what he wants this group to become again: a defense-first team that can pressure opponents, create turnovers and get back to the level that once made Orlando so difficult to play against. At media day, Sweeney and a mix of young Magic players, including Anthony Black, Wendell Carter Jr., Jase Richardson and Izaiyah Nelson, talked through where they fit in that plan and what their defensive jobs may look like.
For Milwaukee, the interest is obvious. Orlando has the kind of length and athleticism that can make life annoying for teams already, and Sweeney is trying to turn that into a clear identity rather than a loose collection of traits. If the Magic buy in quickly, they could become one of the leagues more disruptive defensive groups again, which would matter in a conference where the Bucks are already measuring themselves against every tough out. [Read more 🡒]